Crossing the Animas (A Steve Dancy Tale Book 6) by James D. Best

Author:James D. Best [Best, James D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Queen Beach
Published: 2017-04-16T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 28, lookin’ for blood

Getting no response, McAllen said, “The roof’s our best vantage point and shootin’ position. As soon as we spot ’em, two people go up top … our best shots … that’d be Jeff and Steve. That leaves five of us on the ground.”

That wasn’t exactly a plan, but at least it was an action. Perhaps if we put several actions together, we could approximate a plan.

“From what direction do you think they’ll come?” I asked.

Masters eagerly jumped in. “From Silverton, they gotta come down along the rail line and straight into Durango. They’ll go into town because they’ll need directions to this ranch.”

“If Law’s clever, only a couple of riders will go into town so as to not raise a ruckus,” I added.

Masters literally puffed up with pride. “I worked for Law and got to know him a bit. He’s careless. I bet they all ride into town throwing up a big cloud of dust. He likes a big show. No matter what time they arrive, they won’t hang around town. Not Law. No, sir. They’ll race out here right off. The man’s impatient as hell.” He pointed toward Durango. “That means they’ll come from that direction. They’ll charge ahead until they see the ranch. I was a teamster, and I can tell you, we won’t be hard to find, ’cuz those heavy wagons have carved ruts between town and here. Almost a regular trail by now. And they’ll see the ranch from afar ’cuz the barn sticks up like a big windmill on this-here hill. When they spot the ranch, they won’t hesitate a second—just charge right in. They’re too dumb to guess we got lookouts or that we’ll be ready for ’em.”

I was surprised to hear McAllen say, “Sounds about right.”

Awarded approval, Masters continued to hold forth like a seasoned army scout. “He could circle part of his men around and attack from two sides. Or he might ride direct on up to the barn friendly like … leastwise till the shooting starts. If he thinks we didn’t spot him, he might hunker down and wait for nightfall, then sneak in close and try to take us by surprise. Or he could camp between us and Durango and dare us to try escaping into town.”

“A siege?” I asked skeptically.

“Yep, situated up on this hill, it would be the smart move, especially with seven of us.”

McAllen harrumphed. “Not likely. Take too long, and they got business back up the hill. Besides, they don’t know we have seven shooters.”

The praise from McAllen had vanished in a heartbeat, and Masters looked crestfallen. “I already said he ain’t smart. Just threw that out so we consider every angle.”

McAllen spoke with finality. “One of Mark’s scenarios has it about right. He’ll ride right up into our faces. Law likes to intimidate and thump his chest.”

“Have you ever met Ben Law?” Masters asked defensively.

“We met. Briefly. A coward,” McAllen answered. “Only fights when he’s got a strong advantage. He relies

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